OAKLAND — People selling Oakland properties for more than $2 million would have to pay more in taxes if voters approve a measure being proposed for the November ballot.

Berkeley also is considering asking voters to increase the taxes levied when people sell property, called a real estate transfer tax.

The tax rate in both cities currently is 1.5 percent.

The proposed Oakland ballot measure would reduce the rate to 1 percent for properties selling for $300,000 or less and increase it to 1.75 percent for properties selling for more than $2 million and 2.5 percent for properties selling for more than $5 million.

A ballot measure proposed in Berkeley would increase the rate to 2.5 percent for properties selling for more than $1 million.

Oakland Councilmember Dan Kalb, who is proposing that city’s measure, said in a statement the tiered approach would keep things fair for Oakland property owners looking to sell.

“There is nothing fair about all property transfers being taxed at the same rate, since it disproportionately places the tax burden on the middle class,” Kalb said.

“Changing the structure of this tax will not only create a system that is both progressive and fair, but also will allow Oakland to increase funding for important city services,” he said.

Money generated from the Oakland transfer taxes goes to the city’s general fund, which is not earmarked for any specific purpose but can be spent however the council feels best. Had this proposal been in effect since the 2012-13 fiscal year, Kalb said, the city would have raised an average of more than $9 million a year.

Berkeley’s proposed transfer tax increase would pay for homeless services, including shelter, rental subsidies, supportive services and staffing for those programs, according to the recommendation from Berkeley City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley to the City Council to put the measure on the ballot.

The tax increase would raise about $6 million to $8 million each year, the city administrator’s office estimated.

The Berkeley measure was supposed to be considered at Tuesday’s council meeting, but was postponed to July 10.

The Oakland measure will be discussed at the council’s July 10 council meeting.

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